The 2024 NFL draft ended with the Jets selecting Mr. Irrelevant, but the player selection process did not end there. Like the other 31 NFL teams, the Detroit Lions got busy in signing undrafted free agents to the roster.
The team has found some useful UDFAs over the recent years. Two UDFAs from last year’s class, CB Steven Gilmore and LB Trevor Nowaske, made the Lions roster during the season. Nowaske and CB Starling Thomas, another 2023 UDFA, entered draft weekend as projected starters for the Arizona Cardinals at their respective positions.
There will be some players here who are rookie minicamp invitees and not signed to anything beyond that. A couple of the UDFAs have already received signing bonuses that do give them a leg up on sticking around into training camp and perhaps beyond.
Steele Chambers, LB, Ohio State
Mar 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers works out during Pro Day at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Chambers spent his first two years at Ohio State playing running back before switching to off-ball linebacker. He played 39 games at LB for Ohio State and proved to be a prolific hustle-and-flow run defender. Chambers is undersized at 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds and is still figuring out how to get off and around blocks, but he’s got special teams upside and developmental potential as a nickel/dime coverage LB.
Duke Clemens, C, UCLA
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The Lions paid Clemens a $60,000 guaranteed signing bonus as a UDFA. He’s an athletic 302-pound center with three years (34 games) of starting experience for the Bruins. The Hawaii native also played right guard as a freshman. Clemens has very good short-area quickness and can pull and trap well.
Jalon Calhoun, WR, Duke
Nov 18, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (5) catches a touchdown pass as Virginia Cavaliers safety Caleb Hardy (26) defends during the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Calhoun is a 5-11 wideout who amassed over 3,000 receiving yards in his five seasons at Duke. He almost exclusively plays in the slot and does have some punt return experience.
Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois
Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Williams switched from QB to WR after his first two seasons at Illinois and emerged as a tough slot receiver and punt returner. Just 5-foot-9 and quicker than fast, Williams is good at avoiding the first tackler. He was a team captain in his final two years.
The Lions paid Williams a $240,000 signing bonus, the highest of any UDFA in Detroit (so far).
DDaRon Gilbert, S, Northern Illinois
Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs against Northern Illinois Huskies linebacker DaRon Gilbert (23) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Gilbert is a Detroit native (Brother Rice HS) who played a hybrid safety/linebacker role for the Huskies in college. He spent his first four years of college at Lafayette in the FCS. He’s probably a safety-only in the NFL at 213 pounds, though Gilbert does pack some punch behind his pads.
Isaac Ukwu, EDGE, Ole Miss
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive end Isaac Ukwu (99) celebrates with the trophy after a victory against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Ukwu started out at James Madison before transferring to Ole Miss. The 261-pound pass rusher racked up 3.5 sacks and 32 QB pressures for the Rebels. Ukwu posted 29 bench press reps and a 35-inch vertical jump at his pro day.
Nate Lynn, EDGE, William & Mary
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Lynn was a very productive pass rusher for the FCS-level Tribe. He played all over the line, including some 3-tech as a 253-pounder. Lynn’s motor runs hot but he lacks length and twitch as a pass rusher.
Bryan Hudson, C, Louisville
Jul 25, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Louisville offensive lineman Bryan Hudson answers questions during ACC Media Days at The Westin Charlotte. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Hudson started at center in his final two years at Louisville after playing right guard in 2021, his first year for the Cardinals after transferring from Virginia Tech. Tall for a center at 6-foot-5, his game perked up when Louisville switched away from an outside-zone run scheme to something that more closely resembles the Lions’ gap-oriented style. He allowed just one sack as a senior.
Hogan Hatten, LS, Idaho
Sep 11, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Idaho Vandals linebacker Hogan Hatten (46) jumps to keep a punt out of the end zone against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Isaac Rex, TE, BYU
Oct 21, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Isaac Rex (83) is tackled by Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Bryce Ramirez (3) in the second quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
A big-framed tight end at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Rex had a monster freshman season with 12 receiving TDs back in 2020. He never produced like that again, but he’s an athletic receiver who can align in the slot and even played some outside looks. Rex was not known for his blocking at BYU but it did improve over the course of his career.
Chelen Garnes, S, Wake Forest
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Garnes is a rocked-up, 5-foot-10, 199-pound box safety who hits hard and has some impressive straight-line speed. Lions fans who watched Demon Deacons secondary mates Caelen Carson and Malik Mustapha in the draft process might recall No. 9 flying in to finish off tackles all over the middle of the field.